UMass Dartmouth and the New Bedford Oceanarium (www.oceanexplorium.org) today announced a major partnership designed to enhance science education in the region and across the Commonwealth.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Board of Health has reported that one of several mosquito samples collected in New Bedford on August 28, 2008 has tested positive for West Nile Virus.  The sample was collected in the vicinity of the Oak Grove Cemetery (Parker Street neighborhood) and included Culex pipiens/restuans complex mosquitoes.

New Bedford, Massachusetts-The public is invited to attend a meeting regarding the status of work and sampling at New Bedford High School and Paul Walsh Field and the ongoing monitoring at the Keith Middle School.  The meeting will be held on Thursday September 11th, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Keith Middle School, located at 225 Hathaway Boulevard in New Bedford.  

Officials from the City of New Bedford will present information regarding the most recent soil sampling and testing that was completed at New Bedford High School and Paul Walsh Field during the months of July and August.  There will also be a briefing on the status of monitoring efforts at the Keith Middle School.

For more information, please call the City of New Bedford Office of Environmental Stewardship at (508) 991-6188.  

Date:  Thursday September 11, 2008
Time:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location:  Keith Middle School-225 Hathaway Boulevard, New Bedford 

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group is sponsoring a series of free vascular screenings to be held on Tuesdays, Sept. 9, 23, Oct. 7, 21 and Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford.

If your company is feeling any ill effects from this troubled economy and you want to IMMEDIATELY improve your business performance, please join us for an interactive panel and workshop on September 11, 2008 which will bring you the best practical advice from experts in marketing, finance, accounting, operations and corporate revitalization.  

New Bedford, MA, September 2, 2008— The 2008 Working Waterfront Festival, an annual celebration of commercial fishing culture, will offer visitors a rare opportunity to hear authentic workshops performed by The Northern Neck Chantey Singers a group of retired menhaden fishermen who keep their unique tradition of African-American work songs alive.  The festival takes place in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, on Saturday and Sunday, September 27th & 28th. 

On October 24th, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with several area banks and Chambers of Commerce will host its second annual seminar for small and medium businesses. 

Some topics that will be highlighted include: scams, identity theft, and safeguarding privileged information; best practices in hiring; practical internal controls; implementing a new security plan; identifying and resolving shoplifting and employee theft; prosecution of financial crimes; a true account of significant financial loss from a victim of embezzlement, and workers’ compensation fraud.  The seminar will take place at White’s of Westport and begin at 8:30 a.m.  A complimentary continental breakfast will be served. Speakers will include members of the banking, CPA, and legal community. John Ferreira of J & J Materials will discuss his experiences as a victim of corporate embezzlement. In 2007 an employee of Mr. Ferreira’s company was convicted of embezzling nearly $7 million during a six year period.  Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter will also give brief introductory remarks.   
 
If you are a small or medium-sized business owner and would like more information or to register for the seminar, please contact Lisa Rowell from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office at (508) 961-1808 or send an e-mail to lisa.a.rowell@state.ma.us.   Space is limited so registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.  If you are registering via e-mail, please include the name of your business, how many people will be attending, and a contact person and phone number.  Please also include a contact e-mail address so that we may send out any updates regarding the seminar. 
 
The seminar is being sponsored by BankFive, Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, and St. Anne’s Credit Union and will be free of charge to registrants.  Several area Chambers of Commerce are also acting as supporting sponsors.

NEW BEDFORD, MA --- Tom Jones’s and Harvey Schmidt’s Outer Critic’s Circle Award winning musical Philemon, a stunning theatre piece and the first major production of Your Theatre, Inc.’s 62nd season, opens on September 17 for a nine performance run.  Directed by Your Theatre’s Lawrence R. Houbre, Jr. of New Bedford with musical direction by Bonnie – Jeanne Brault of Fairhaven, the play runs Wednesdays through Saturdays September 17-20 and 24-27, 2008, with a matinee Sunday, September 21. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. for all shows except the 3:00 p.m. Sunday matinee.

LLOYD CENTER'S SLOCUM RIVER REGATTA - SEPTEMBER 20TH The final mile of Dartmouth’s spectacular Slocum River estuary will come alive Saturday morning, September  20, as scullers, kayakers and rowers of all ages battle their way over a challenging 2-mile loop course that starts and finishes directly in front of the Lloyd Center for the Environment’s 55-acre nature preserve. 

Fairhaven, MA — Motorcycles of all makes and models will help rev up the fight against breast cancer on Sunday, October 5 at Chest Fest 2008, a fundraising event spearheaded by the Ice Chest Bar & Grille in Fairhaven and designed to benefit the American Cancer Society.

There is beautiful music ringing along the SouthCoast. Where is it coming from?  Listen to the participants of the South Coast Singing Circles and South Coast Music Together and you will know just who the music makers are.  

North Dartmouth, MA- With a few steps, you can make a profound difference in the lives of people with disabilities. - On Sunday, October 19, 2008, the Society for Human Advancement through Rehabilitation Engineering (SHARE) Foundation is holding its largest annual fundraiser—a walk-a-thon--beginning at 9 a.m. at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. 

September 11th AHA! Night presents an evening of cultural walking tours and talks. Explore and re-discover New Bedford through a fascinating collection of historical tours and talks spanning the heyday of the Whaling era with its Victorian mansions, the days of the Underground railway to the contemporary seaport that characterizes our cultural city. Additional September AHA! programs includes art exhibits, live music shopping and dining.

NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS - Like all Americans, New Bedford and SouthCoast citizens should demand prompt, decisive representation and action from our legislative delegation to Washington with respect to the ongoing energy crisis that is causing so much discomfort and pain.

New Bedford, MA, August 25, 2008— The 2008 Working Waterfront Festival, an annual celebration of commercial fishing culture will feature a talk by nationally acclaimed food writer Molly O’Neill. The free festival takes place in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, on Saturday and Sunday, September 27th & 28th. 

Applications are currently being accepted for the Our Lady's Haven Holiday Craft Fair.  The Fair will be held in the historic Tabitha Inn of Our Lady's Haven (71 Centre Street, Fairhaven, MA) on Saturday, November 22, 2008, from 10:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.  This historic building, built in 1904, will serve as a wonderful setting for the Fair, which will feature a wide variety of unique handmade items, books, food and gifts.  

Space is limited, and available on a first-come-first-served basis.  Tables and chairs will be provided for Fair participants.  The cost for a 6-foot exhibit space is $25.  Each crafter will also be asked to donate one item for a raffle.  Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the residents of Our Lady's Haven.  

To participate, please contact Kate Hancock, Human Resources Director, Our Lady's Haven, 71 Centre Street, Fairhaven, MA, 02719, phone 508-999-4561, email khancock@dhfo.org. 

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Health Van provides free education and screenings for the community addressing cardiac disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. It also serves as an off-site blood donation center for the Southcoast Blood Bank.

Dartmouth, MA – August 22, 2008 – Cold Stone Creamery®, the fastest growing super-premium ice cream franchise in the nation, is making its debut in Dartmouth, MA. The Grand Opening is scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on site at 83C Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA (in the old Ann & Hope Plaza).

If your company is feeling any ill effects from this troubled economy and you want to immediately improve your business performance, then consider joining the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center for an interactive panel and workshop offering the best practical advice from experts in marketing, finance, accounting, operations and corporate revitalization.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The United States Olympic Luge Team will visit New Bedford on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th in search of future Luge Olympic team members.  The purpose of the “USA Slider Search” is to introduce the Winter Olympic sport to boys and girls ages 11-14 across the nation and to help identify young athletes who want to experience the thrill of the sport and the opportunity to train under the guidance of USA Luge national team coaches and athletes.  

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has completed its investigation into the May 14th police-involved shooting of Gerard Tierney, 45, of 5 Ellen St., in New Bedford.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Health Department has announced that New Bedford’s “East and West Beach” have been reopened for swimming as of 9:00AM today.  

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Board of Health announced today that West Nile Virus was detected in a sampling of mosquitoes collected in New Bedford on Tuesday, August 20, in traps located at Oak Grove Cemetery (Parker Street) and in traps located in the Washburn Street area.  

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Health Department has advised that the section of East Beach known, as “O’Toole’s Beach” will remain closed to swimming until water testing results there meet state standards.  

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun work to remove two 4,500-gallon underground storage tanks located in a section of Fort Taber Park known as Battery Miliken.  The Army Corps of Engineers is conducting the clean up and removal of the two diesel fuel storage tanks at no cost to the City of New Bedford.  Officials believe the tanks were installed sometime in the 1940’s for the purpose of storing diesel fuel to power emergency generators.  The storage tanks have remained dormant for decades.  U.S. Army Corp of Engineer crews will make no structural changes to the Battery Miliken itself and any soil or vegetation disturbed in the process will be replaced.

North Dartmouth, MA- UMass Dartmouth today announced that the Three Rs Foundation has pledged $1 million to support the university’s Center for Indic Studies. The donation will support the Center’s mission to connect the university, region and Commonwealth to India’s growing economy and world influence. The announcement coincided with a celebration of India Independence Day and featured presentations by students from India.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - Earlier today, in Third District Court, Assistant District Attorney Paul Machado presented a conclusive case against the owner of two derelict fishing vessels, “FV Reality” and “FV Challenge,” berthed at Leonard’s Wharf, a city-owned pier managed by the Harbor Development Commission (HDC). After the Commonwealth rested its case, once again, Assistant District Attorney Machado gave the boat owner the opportunity to agree to a practical resolution. The boat owner was once again offered a Continuance without a Finding to preserve his record on the condition that the boats be removed. After four years, he was finally willing to admit and accept the terms offered. The terms require the boat owner to remove the derelict vessels within 60 days. Absent extenuating circumstances, if he fails to do so he will then face the imposition of a guilty finding and consequent criminal sentence.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The City of New Bedford has been awarded a new contract in the amount of $125,000 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to provide Substance Abuse Prevention & Early Intervention with the Pathways 2008 Education & Treatment Network.

North Dartmouth, MA- If the times are faster than expected at this summer's Olympic sailing competition, you might look to a UMass Dartmouth oceanographer for the explanation.

NEW BEDFORD, MA (8.16.08) - - The Operation Clean Sweep Anti-Litter Campaign will hold a Saturday morning cleanup in Ward 4 on Saturday, August 16th  from 8 – 11 am.   Here’s another chance for able, civic-minded residents to step forward and help make their neighborhoods cleaner places to live and nicer places to visit.

New Bedford, MA, August 13, 2008— Visitors to the 2008 Working Waterfront Festival will have a unique opportunity to see an underwater simulation of how fishing gear works.  The festival takes place in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, on Saturday and Sunday, September 27th & 28th. More than simply a celebration, the Working Waterfront Festival is a unique opportunity for the public get a first hand look at the culture and traditions of the commercial fishing industry and for the working waterfront community to tell its own story.  The event presents all that goes into bringing seafood from the ocean to the table in a way that is hands-on, educational and fun.

North Dartmouth, MA- WUMD-FM, UMass Dartmouth's 10,000 watt radio station, knocked off the air Monday when the severe thunderstorms hit the region and damaged the station's transmitter, is broadcasting its full program schedule on the web at http://www.893wumd.org/. Crews are working to assess the damage to the transmitter and restore the signal.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has concluded its investigation into the July 18th boat crash off the coast of Dartmouth that took the life of David J. Walsh, 64, of South Dartmouth.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Health Department has announced that New Bedford’s “West Beach” has been reopened for swimming as of 9:00AM today.   West Beach is located along West Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford.  The testing results of water samples collected on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 show the concentration of Enterococcus bacteria at West Beach has dropped back to safe levels for swimming.  However, sections of East Beach including the areas known as “Tower 1, Tower 4 and O’Toole’s Beach” remain closed as the new test results indicate levels of Enterococcus bacteria remain above the closure level in these swimming areas.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Health Department has issued a closure advisory for swimming in sections of the city’s public “West Beach,” located along West Rodney French Boulevard and all of “East Beach,” located along East Rodney French Boulevard.  Water sampling results collected on August 12, 2008, show levels of Enterococci bacteria above the closure level in these swimming areas. 

NEW BEDFORD, MA – The Ocean Explorium brings Once Upon a Tide to AHA! Night, this Thursday, August 14.  Show times are 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30PM (the 7:30 screening is followed by a panel discussion).  

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board is pleased to announce that Maria O. Pinarreta, Vice President of Branch Administration at BankFive, has accepted  the position of co-Chairperson of the LiteracyWorks Cabinet.  Ms. Pinarreta will join current Chairperson Roy Nascimento, President of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, in this leadership role.  “I am pleased that Maria will be co-chairing the LiteracyWorks Cabinet with me, ” said Mr. Nascimento.  He went on to say, “Her professional experience and impressive background make her well respected across the SouthCoast.  I look forward to working with her on advocating for adult and family literacy in the New Bedford area.”

New Bedford, Massachusetts- In advance of detours associated with infrastructure repairs at one of New Bedford’s busiest traffic intersections, Rt.6/Kempton Street and Rockdale Avenue, city officials today cautioned local motorists and urged them to plan ahead.

Upwards of two hundred young people in Bristol County are participating in the free summer tennis clinics this summer. Today, approximately 70 New Bedford children attended the tennis clinic at Buttonwood Park.

New Bedford, MA—August 8, 2008—SouthCoast Media Group is announcing plans for “Go Healthy! SouthCoast Expo,” a special health and wellness event to be held on October 25, in the main lobby of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS      The New Bedford Republican Party is pleased to announce its co-sponsorship of a major public service campaign in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office, City of New Bedford, WBSM-1420 and renowned illusionist, Lyn Dillies.  This public service campaign will consist of a six-week print media, radio and television advertising schedule in support of get-out-the-vote operations throughout SouthCoast.  A non-partisan political event - Your Vote is Magic - will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 6:30PM to 9:00PM at New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo, and will feature a Voter Information and Voter Registration area, as well as a moderated Town Hall Meeting, Keynote Speakers, a Patriotic Music Revue and the major national debut of Ms. Dillies’ election-themed illusion. 

On Saturday, September 27, 2008 the YWCA will host a cultural event for the community in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  The 3rd Annual YWCA Hispanic Heritage Night is a fundraising event to benefit leadership development programs for young women.  

New Bedford, MA, August 1, 2008— The 2008 Working Waterfront Festival takes place in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, on Saturday and Sunday, September 27th & 28th. This free, family-friendly event opens the waterfront to the public with a rare look into commercial fishing America’s oldest industry. 

“We do these free sports clinics because we want to get kids exercising and having fun playing sports. Too many of our children are spending too much time sitting down watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet,” District Attorney Sutter said. “I am hoping to raise public awareness of this need to get our children exercising more, in addition to teaching kids the fundamentals of my favorite sport. Tennis is a sport you can play for your entire life. It’s great exercise and it’s not expensive to learn, to play, or to become a very good player.

As promised during the campaign, the District Attorney has revamped the Community Affairs Division and has steered its focus towards volunteerism, diversion programs for at risk juveniles, child abuse prevention, senior abuse education and prevention, and the annual free sports clinics.